20 years

This is a view from the top of a multi-storey car park. Manchester and Salford, lots of new build, and nothing of any age. Both cities have been and are being transformed. Twenty years ago virtually no-one lived in the city centre, now it has a significant residential population, and a young one too.

The Ordsall Chord is nearing completion. I really like this new rail bridge, I am looking forward to trains crossing it.

The extra I took leaving Spinningfields. Twenty years ago this year Manchester City Council agreed a partnership with Allied London, who acquired their first site in the area west of Deansgate in 1997. After four years of master planning the first new building started in 2001, Manchester College’s on Quay Street. This year the last big office block, Number 1 Spinningfields, is nearing completion. I bought a sandwich on my way back to Salford, from the new M&S at its base. A long queue suggests it’s a good location.